JW Holdings exports antibiotics for COVID-19 treatment to Luxembourg and South Africa

Published 14 May.2020 10:33(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] JW Holdings announced on the 14th that it will urgently export antibiotics used for the treatment of patients with the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to Luxembourg and the Republic of South Africa.

The product exported to Luxembourg is JW Levofloxacin Injection (ingredient: levofloxacin), a quinolone antibiotic effective for respiratory infections and sinusitis. Unlike general injections, levofloxacin is mixed with normal saline, making it a premixed solution that can be used without a separate dilution process.

This urgent supply of medicine was arranged at the request of the Luxembourg delegation in Korea and is scheduled to be shipped on the 19th.

To the Republic of South Africa, an additional supply twice the annual contracted export volume of the carbapenem antibiotic Prefenem Injection (imipenem) will be provided. JW Holdings won the supply rights in a large-scale emergency bid conducted by the South African government through collaboration with its local partner, Ostel Laboratories. Prefenem Injection is the first generic version of imipenem, developed worldwide for the first time by JW Chungwo Pharmaceutical in 2004, and is used to treat severe infections such as pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections.

A JW Holdings official said, "The demand for antibiotics for the treatment of severe patients is rapidly increasing amid the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "We plan to expand exports focusing on countries experiencing difficulties in supplying antibiotics, which are representative emergency medicines."